Departments & Programs

Psychological and Brain Sciences

Major in Psychology—B.S.

Purpose

The B.S. program in psychology is designed for career-oriented and highly motivated students. The program emphasizes breadth of preparation in science and development of math and computer application skills, and it requires more advanced courses and laboratory work in psychology than the B.A. program. The student who graduates with a B.S. in psychology should be well prepared for graduate training in psychology and related fields, for professional schools, and for jobs (not necessarily in psychology) that use scientific training and quantitative techniques.

Required Courses

Students must complete the following Foundations, Intensive Writing, Foreign Language, and Breadth of Inquiry requirements:

1. Writing, same as B.A. degree (Intensive Writing, English Composition).

2. Mathematics, two courses from the following or an approved equivalent: M118 (A118, V118, or D116-D117), M119, M120, any 200-level or higher course with an "M" prefix (such as M211).

Recommendations

We strongly recommend that students fulfill the entry-level sequence and all foundational courses (P304, P335, P346) by the end of the second year of studies.

Students should consult with one of the psychological and brain sciences undergraduate advisors for additional information on the above requirements. See also the departmental information available at www.indiana.edu/~psyugrad/.

We recommend that students take P199 Career Planning for Psychology Majors in their sophomore year. This course can be used for career guidance and provides students with invaluable information at an appropriate time.

Required Outside Concentration

A single outside concentration is required of all majors in psychology. The outside concentration must consist of 12 credit hours at any level or of three courses above the 100 level, taken in one department. The following disciplines are examples of outside concentrations chosen by psychology majors: animal behavior, anthropology, biology, business, chemistry, cognitive science, computer science, criminal justice, foreign languages, gender studies, history and philosophy of science, human development and family studies, linguistics, mathematics, philosophy, or sociology. Students can fulfill this requirement by an optional minor, offered by many departments. (See individual departments' sections in this Bulletin for specific required courses.)